Appropriate Disciplines

Course Description

There are two ways to participate: in the LIVE STUDIO audience in Gulf Breeze, Florida or via LIVE STREAM around the world. Live stream participants will login to access the event from their computer and interact with the instructor. Studio audience seats are limited - so register today! Please contact our office if you have any questions. 850-916-8886.
Course begins: 9:00 AM Central (10:00 AM Eastern; 9:00 AM Mountain; 7:00 AM Pacific)
Therapists are challenged by patients diagnosed with ALS to provide appropriate therapies and work within our standard practice of care. We must know the impact ALS has on cognition and swallowing, the impact of medications and what therapy tools/techniques can make an impact on their cognition, swallowing and quality of life. This seminar will provide information on the diagnostic process, theories on development of the disease, symptoms that present in early ALS as well as the later stages. Medications may improve quality of life for our patients but may also become ineffective. Medication protocols will be discussed as well as CAM or complimentary alternative medicine. Numerous therapy techniques and tools available will be presented with rationale for their use. Recommendations for modified diets, liquids or even NPO may not be acceptable to the patient and/or family. As therapists, we need to know what options are available and educate/inform our patients and families to allow them to make decisions that work for them. Options will be addressed as well as concerns with waivers and need for appropriate, thorough documentation.

Course Level: Introductory

Assessment Methods: Labs, Case Study Discussions, Q&A, Self-Assessment on EvaluationFor events that are Live Streamed, the streaming participants will verify attendance through codes given throughout course and complete a multiple choice quiz (80% passing score) and evaluation at the end

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, participants will be able to:

list specific symptoms of ALS and the impact these have on cognition and swallowing

identify possible adverse side effects of medications and CAM

analyze exercises and tools to construct an appropriate therapy plan for the ALS patient

educate and explain options for nutrition/hydration to assist patients and family in their decision making for modifications and quality of life

Denise Dougherty

MA, CCC-SLP

Denise Dougherty, MA, CCC-SLP Denise owns and operates a private practice in Indiana, PA, where she conducts therapy with both children and adults. She is a legal consultant/expert witness in wrongful death/negligence lawsuits involving dysphagia. Denise is a co-editor of Private Practice Essentials: A Practical Guide for Speech-Language Pathologists, published by ASHA Press. She has presented workshops and written numerous articles appearing in the ASHA Leader on the topic of private practice. Denise served as a consultant for The Arijah Children’s Foundation in Anguilla, BWI, providing evaluations and therapy programs for special needs children. Ms. Dougherty was an adjunct faculty member at York College of Pennsylvania and Wesley College in Dover, Delaware. She is a past President of the American Academy of Private Practice in Speech Pathology and Audiology (AAPPSPA), and received the Academy’s 2007 Honor Award and 2014 Award of Excellence for her achievements. Ms. Dougherty is a member of the Technical Experts Panel for Quality of Insights of Pennsylvania, working on initiating quality measures for CMS to improve effectiveness, efficiency, economy and quality of services delivered to Medicare beneficiaries. She received her bachelor’s degree in communication disorders from Marywood University in Scranton, Pennsylvania; a master’s degree in communication disorders from St. Louis University. Ms. Dougherty is certified in VitalStim® therapy and is a VitalStim® instructor, has completed additional training in orofacial myology, is a member of the American Speech, Language and Hearing Association and has received numerous ASHA ACE Awards. For more information, please visit www.dldspeechpath.com.

Financial Disclosure Denise receives honoraria from CIAO for the presentation of her live courses and royalties for the sale of her online courses. Denise is in private practice and receives legal consultant/expert witness fees Non-Financial Disclosure: There are no non-financial relationships to disclose.

Day 1

09:00 - 09:10

Introduction (10:00 AM Eastern; 8:00 AM Mountain; 7:00 AM Pacific)

09:10 - 09:30

Overview of Neurodegenerative Disorders

09:30 - 10:30

Diagnosis, ALS, Symptoms and Co-morbidities

10:30 - 10:45

Break

10:45 - 11:25

The M's! Mouth care and Medications including CAM, Side Effects and Medication Review